Mark Dantonio has led MSU to a school-record 12 wins and its first-ever Bowl Championship Series berth.

Dec. 9, 2013

EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Michigan State seventh-year head coach Mark Dantonio, who has led the Spartans to a school-record 12 wins and their first appearance in the Rose Bowl since 1988, has been named one of eight finalists for the 2013 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America, in conjunction with the Fiesta Bowl. The Spartans have reeled off nine straight victories since a 17-13 loss at Notre Dame on Sept. 21.

Other finalists include: Baylor's Art Briles, Duke's David Cutcliffe, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, Auburn's Gus Malzahn, UCF's George O'Leary, Missouri's Gary Pinkel and Stanford's David Shaw. The national coach of the year finalists have been placed on a ballot to be sent to the entire FWAA membership. The 2013 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 16, with official presentation of the award scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 4, in Newport Beach, Calif.

Michigan State earned its first-ever Bowl Championship Series berth with a 34-24 victory over second-ranked Ohio State, 34-24, in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Spartans will play Pac-12 Champion Stanford (11-2, 7-2 Pac-12) in the 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO on Jan. 1, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. ET in Pasadena, Calif. Dantonio has led MSU to a school-record seven consecutive postseason bowl appearances.

Michigan State finished fourth in the final BCS Standings - its highest ranking ever. The Spartans are ranked No. 4 in the latest Associated Press and USA TODAY Polls. It marks MSU's highest ranking in the AP Poll since Sept. 18, 1967, when the Spartans stood No. 3 prior to the season opener against Houston. It also marks MSU's highest ranking since USA TODAY began administering the coaches poll during the 1991-92 season.

Dantonio earned 2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors from both the media and coaches, as the Spartans finished their conference schedule with a perfect 8-0 record for the first time in school history and claimed their second Legends Division title in three seasons. Michigan State became the 14th Big Ten team to post an 8-0 mark in league play (Ohio State 2013, Ohio State 2006, Ohio State 2002, Iowa 2002, Michigan 1997, Northwestern 1995, Penn State 1994, Michigan 1989, Illinois 1983 [9 games], Michigan 1980, Ohio State 1979, Ohio State 1975, Michigan 1971). The Spartans are the first Big Ten team to win all eight of its conference games by double-digit points since the league went to an eight-game schedule in 1971. In addition, MSU became the first undefeated Big Ten team to win all of its league games by double-figure points since Michigan in 1943 (6-0 record).

Michigan State features the top-ranked defense in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, ranking No. 1 in FBS in total defense (248.2 yards per game), rushing defense (80.8 ypg.) and opponent third-down conversions (.277; 53-for-191). The Spartans have been ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense for 13 consecutive weeks.

Offensively, the Spartans ranked among the Big Ten leaders in conference games in passing efficiency (third with 139.5 rating), scoring offense (fifth with 29.8 ppg.) and rushing offense (fifth with 185.8 ypg.). The offensive line has allowed just 13 sacks - the second fewest in the Big Ten and 11th fewest in the FBS. In addition, Michigan State ranks fifth in the FBS in time of possession (33:28 per game).

Another key reason for MSU's success this season has been creating turnovers on defense and limiting mistakes on offense, as Michigan State ranks first in the Big Ten and seventh in the FBS in turnover margin (+14, 1.1 per game). The Spartans have forced a total of 27 turnovers (11 fumbles, 16 interceptions), including five for touchdowns (three fumble recoveries, two interception returns). MSU has forced the most turnovers in the Big Ten (27) and has also turned the ball over the least amount of times (13) in the conference. MSU's six interceptions are also a conference low and are tied for 10th fewest in the FBS.

Dantonio owns a 63-29 (.685) record at Michigan State, which already ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in career wins (fourth) and winning percentage (fifth). He is the only coach in MSU history to lead multiple teams to double-digit win seasons (11 in 2010 and 2011; 12 in 2013). Among Spartan coaches who have coached at least 10 Big Ten games, Dantonio owns the best winning percentage (.679, 38-18 record).

Michigan State was rewarded for winning the Legends Division by three games, as six Spartans were named to the All-Big Ten First Team and a total of 16 players received all-conference recognition. The six first-team selections were the most for Michigan State since 1990, and the 16 honorees overall equal the second most under Dantonio (19 in 2011, 16 in 2010). Two Spartans took home individual awards, as senior Darqueze Dennard was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, while sophomore Shilique Calhoun was named the Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Dennard, Calhoun and senior linebacker Max Bullough were first-team selections by both the coaches and media. Junior safety Kurtis Drummond, senior safety Isaiah Lewis and junior punter Mike Sadler were named first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches. The five first-team selections on defense are tied for the most in school history (1966). Since 2007, Dantonio has helped produce 26 first-team All-Big Ten selections.

The Spartans have won 41 of their last 53 games (.774), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. The 41 wins are most in the Big Ten and tied for eighth most in the FBS during that same time period. In addition, MSU has recorded 35 Big Ten victories since 2008, the most of any team in the conference (Note: Ohio State has won 40 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season.).The Spartans produced back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2010-11 for the first time in program history, claimed a share of the Big Ten Championship in 2010, and have won two Big Ten Legends Division titles (2011, 2013). Dantonio has led Michigan State to Top 25 finishes in three of the last five seasons (2008: No. 24 both polls; 2010: No. 14 both polls; and 2011: No. 10 USA TODAY/No. 11 AP).

Dantonio was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading the Spartans to a share of the Big Ten Championship and a then school-record 11 wins.

Duffy Daugherty is Michigan State's only previous FWAA National Coach of the Year Award recipient, earning the honor in 1955 and 1965.

The FWAA has honored a major college coach with its coach of the year award since the 1957 season when Ohio State's Woody Hayes claimed the honor. Robinson, a coaching legend at Grambling State University, has been the FWAA's coaching namesake since the 1997 season. The Fiesta Bowl joined with the FWAA a year later as the sponsor of the award.

Robinson, who passed away on April 3, 2007, won nearly 71 percent of his games during his illustrious career. His teams won or tied for 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships after joining the league in 1959. Robinson's Tigers claimed nine Black College Football Championships during his career spent all at the same school.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,200 men and women who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 21 awards boast 678 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.